DoD's $20.8M Food Services Contract for the Blind and Vision Impaired Raises Competition Concerns
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,810,945 ($20.8M)
Contractor: Blind and Vision Impaired, Virginia Department for the
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-10-01
End Date: 2028-11-30
Contract Duration: 1,887 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FULL FOOD SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: FORT EUSTIS, NEWPORT NEWS CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23604
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $20.8 million to BLIND AND VISION IMPAIRED, VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT FOR THE for work described as: FULL FOOD SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor for food services, raising questions about competition. 2. The $20.8 million contract duration of over 5 years warrants scrutiny for potential cost overruns. 3. Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing and reduced service quality. 4. The sector is food services, with a significant contract value. 5. The contract's purpose is to support the blind and vision impaired.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's fixed price structure is standard, but the lack of competitive bidding makes a direct pricing assessment difficult. Without benchmarks from similar contracts awarded through full and open competition, it's hard to determine if the $20.8 million price is optimal.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
This contract was not available for full and open competition, indicating a limited competitive environment. This approach can restrict price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for food services, as there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the most competitive price.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the lack of competitive bidding. Services for the blind and vision impaired are crucial and require consistent quality. The long contract duration could lock in potentially inflated prices. Transparency in the procurement process is limited.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Long contract duration
- Potential for overpayment
Positive Signals
- Supports a vulnerable population
- Clear contract type (FFP)
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the food services sector, which is generally competitive. However, the specific focus on supporting the blind and vision impaired may necessitate specialized services, potentially impacting the competitive landscape and pricing benchmarks.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further investigation is needed to assess small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The limited competition aspect of this contract warrants closer oversight to ensure fair pricing and adequate service delivery. Accountability for the procurement decision and contract performance should be clearly established.
Related Government Programs
- Food Service Contractors
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of full and open competition
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Long contract duration (over 5 years)
- Limited transparency in procurement justification
Tags
food-service-contractors, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $20.8 million to BLIND AND VISION IMPAIRED, VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT FOR THE. FULL FOOD SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BLIND AND VISION IMPAIRED, VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT FOR THE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $20.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-10-01. End: 2028-11-30.
What specific factors justified limiting competition for this food services contract?
The justification for limiting competition is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such limitations are based on specific requirements, such as unique capabilities, urgent needs, or statutory preferences. A thorough review of the contract file and justification documents would be necessary to understand the rationale behind this decision and assess its validity.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will they be monitored to ensure quality?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this food services contract. Effective oversight would require clearly defined KPIs related to food quality, service delivery, and client satisfaction, along with a robust monitoring and evaluation plan to ensure the contractor meets these standards throughout the contract's duration.
How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar food service contracts awarded under full and open competition?
A direct comparison of pricing is challenging without access to benchmarks from similar contracts awarded through full and open competition. The absence of competitive bidding in this case makes it difficult to ascertain if the $20.8 million price represents fair market value. Further analysis would require identifying comparable contracts and adjusting for any relevant differences in scope or service level.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Accommodation and Food Services › Special Food Services › Food Service Contractors
Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: FA480023R0001
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: James Madison University
Address: 397 AZALEA AVE, HENRICO, VA, 23227
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $57,974,867
Exercised Options: $20,882,765
Current Obligation: $20,810,945
Actual Outlays: $929,491
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-10-01
Current End Date: 2028-11-30
Potential End Date: 2028-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-05
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